David Ruffley MP, the Shadow Minister for Police Reform, has today demanded answers from the Highways Agency on safety concerns, expressed by Suffolk Constabulary, over Rookery Crossroads area of the A14.

There have been 11 accidents so far this year on the A14 at Rougham and in the most recent incident a young driver nearly lost her life after losing control of her car in standing water on the road. Suffolk police crash investigators highlighted water on the road in two of the other accidents in this location.

The Highways Agency are currently investigating the design of the road at the request of Suffolk Constabulary.

David said:

'The Rookery Crossroads improvements to the A14 were meant to make safe this previously dangerous stretch of road. It is of great concern to me that, in certain areas of the road, this appears to be far from the case.

'Suffolk Constabulary has expressed concerns over the standing water that can build up on the road near Rougham and if this is a fault of the design of the road then the Highways Agency must be held to account.

'This problem with the A14 nearly ended in tragedy for one young driver and others have reported problems with 'aquaplaning' though water in this location. This is a very serious matter and I have today demanded that the Highways Agency keep me fully informed of the investigation they are conducting at the instigation of Suffolk Constabulary.

'I would like to express my gratitude to our local police officers for highlighting this problem and for other members of the public coming forward to express their concerns.'